MoneyCote finish questions...

I've been looking for flat black MoneyCote or similar covering without much luck so far (A nice shiny U-2 would look kinda funny, I think...). Assuming the stuff doesn't exist, has anyone had much luck painting over shrink film? What kinds of paint would work?

If this has been run into the goround before I apologize, I must have missed it...

Thanks!

God bless!

Tower stocks flat-black Monocote.

Mike,

Not directly responsive to your Q:, but I have doped over $Kote. It is a trick and a trip...

My findings: CLEAR MonoKote(R), wiped with 100% acetone and NOT TOUCHED with our (always somewhat oily) fingers, can be sprayed with some hobby dopes. I used AeroGloss, much plasticized -- I think Brown's Flex-All had just come out, or I had some other good plasticizer to limit shrinkage. (That's how long ago this was...)

Masking is the big problem. Plasticized dope adheres well enough to stay aboard for flight loads, but the peel-off stress of any masking tape is too much for it. Be creative, iow.

Advantages? Quick, smooth and LIGHT! Color matches between open bay surfaces and fuselage, for example. You don't need to build up a base for a dope finish, ironing it on over smooth bare wood is all you need. Super MonoKote CAN be pretty permanently shrunk out -- no sags -- over the first week, i.e., usually before first flight. However, dark colors absorb more heat - may sag. Doped MonoKote CAN be heat shrunk; just be careful! If the dope discolors in the hot air stream, shut down, or at least back the nozzle away. (NOTE: we can dewarp doped fabric %/or paper covered surfaces with a heat gun. KEY -- BE CAREFUL!).

Disadvantages? Hangar rash shows more on the softer outer wood surfaces; covering adds less strength than a doped, built-up type - not good for a flimsy structure. And there's always the tricks needed to get good edges and tips with $Kote...

I believe you have your answer in that flat black MonoKote is readily available.

But if you decide to pursue the painted-film option, my suggestion is to buy whichever version of OzCover is designed for this application.

Or talk to a Combat guy. Fascal readily accepts paint. In fact, that's what is was designed for, primarily for those making signs. Paint a big sheet, cut out letter and so forth, stick 'em in place.